Hospital costume party

CHARLOTTE – For the young patients at Levine Children's Hospital and the Carolina Panthers' rookies, Tuesday was a heartwarming break from their respective routines.

The Panthers' entire rookie class dressed in a wide array of Halloween costumes and made their annual visit to the hospital with Sir Purr and the TopCats, bringing souvenirs and candy to the children and their families.

Added linebacker Luke Kuechly: "These kids are in here and they don't have a whole lot to do. They are stuck watching TV and to have visitors is great for them, to see a different face. When you go in there it just makes their day."

Kuechly dressed in German lederhosen with an oversized green hat.

"I don't really know what I am," Kuechly said with a smile. "I saw this in there and threw it on."